Sully

Pronunciation: [ s-UHL-ee ]

Boy Name #3,579 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A warm Irish nickname with dark-eyed charm

Irish English American

Playful Earthy Vintage Bold

Meaning & Origin

"descendant of the dark-eyed one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Associated with the Monsters, Inc. character Sully, which some parents find endearing, others too cartoonish

The Story of Sully

Sully is an anglicized short form of the Irish surname Sullivan, from the Gaelic Ó Súilleabháin, meaning descendant of Súilleabhán. The original name Súilleabhán is thought to derive from súil meaning eye and dubh meaning dark, giving the evocative meaning dark-eyed. Sullivan is one of the most common Irish surnames, and Sully emerged as its breezy, first-name-friendly version.

Sully gained traction as parents sought Irish-flavored names beyond the standard Finn or Liam. The 2013 Pixar film Monsters University, featuring the beloved character Sully, gave the name extra warmth and pop culture recognition.

Sullivan and by extension Sully is deeply tied to Irish-American identity. The name was common in 19th and early 20th century Irish immigrant communities throughout Boston, New York, and Chicago.

Fun Facts

Sullivan is the 3rd most common surname in Ireland
The character James P. Sullivan in Monsters, Inc. is nicknamed Sully by his best friend Mike

Sully in Other Languages

Irish Súilleabhán

French Sully

Italian Sulli

Spanish Suli

Famous People Named Sully

Sully Erna

Musician

1968

American rock musician, lead vocalist and guitarist of Godsmack

James P. Sullivan (Sully) Fictional

Entertainer

Beloved blue monster protagonist of Pixar's Monsters, Inc. franchise

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #3,579
Total SSA Count: 32
Cultural Origins: Irish English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Alternative Spellings

Sullivan #340

Common Nicknames

Sul

Pairs Well With

Sully James Sully Patrick Sully Thomas Sully Michael Sully John Sully Finn Sully Rowan

Sibling Names

Finn Declan Liam Nora Maeve Aoife Cormac

Also a Girl Name

Sully is also used as a girl name, ranked #58992.

View Sully as a girl name →

Similar Names

Sullivan Donovan Donavan Callahan Safwan Callaghan

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sully

What does the name Sully mean?

"descendant of the dark-eyed one" (from Irish Gaelic). Sully is an anglicized short form of the Irish surname Sullivan, from the Gaelic Ó Súilleabháin, meaning descendant of Súilleabhán. The original name Súilleabhán is thought to derive from súil meaning eye and dubh meaning dark, giving the evocative meaning dark-eyed. Sullivan is one of the most common Irish surnames, and Sully emerged as its breezy, first-name-friendly version.

What is the origin of the name Sully?

Sully has Irish Gaelic, Irish, English, and American origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "descendant of the dark-eyed one".

Is Sully a boy or girl name?

Sully is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3579. As a girl name, it is ranked #58992. Sully is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Sully?

Sully is pronounced s-UHL-ee.

How popular is the name Sully?

Sully is currently ranked #3579 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Sully?

Common nicknames for Sully include Sul.

What are good middle names for Sully?

Popular middle name pairings include Sully James, Sully Patrick, Sully Thomas, Sully Michael, Sully John, Sully Finn, and Sully Rowan.

What are good sibling names for Sully?

Names that pair well with Sully as siblings include Finn, Declan, Liam, Nora, Maeve, Aoife, and Cormac.

How many syllables does Sully have?

Sully has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Sully a common or rare name?

Sully is an uncommon name, ranked #3579 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Sully

Sully is a boy name with Irish, English, and American origins . The name means "descendant of the dark-eyed one" in Irish Gaelic .

Is Sully a boy or girl name? Sully is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,579 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #58,992. Sully is more commonly used as a boy name.

Sully is currently ranked #3,579 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Sully has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-UHL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Sully include Sul. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Sully include Sullivan . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.